MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Sunshine Wohl
Chrysalis Community Executive Director
802-893-9309
sunshine@chrysaliscommunity.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 2004

Chrysalis Announces Winter Retreat Schedule

Chrysalis Community, an environment for people living with HIV to learn and practice holistic methods for healing the mind, body and spirit, has announced its Winter 2005 retreat schedule. Healing Weekends will take place on January 21st-23rd, February 25th-27th, and March 18th-20th, 2005.

Located on a 108-acre farm on a hilltop in Pownal, Vermont, Chrysalis Community exists to help people living with HIV live long, happy, healthy, and full lives and to build healthy, open, compassionate communities. Chrysalis Community is a 501c3 non-profit organization.

During Healing Weekends, Chrysalis Community delivers a program designed to provide people living with HIV the knowledge and skills that support a healthy lifestyle. These include: practicing self-love and self-care, taking a proactive role in wellbeing and wholeness, learning techniques to minimize stress and depression, and participating in activities which boost the immune system.

"I came here feeling very desperate, hopeless, rushed, and stressed. I came here feeling like I didn’t have time for this weekend. I came here wondering if it would do me any good," said one Healing Weekend participant. "I leave here feeling hopeful, light, and energized. I leave here feeling like I needed this weekend. And, I’m glad that I came here. I leave here feeling more prepared to live my life…not just to survive it."

Chrysalis Community is committed to providing an experience that has a meaningful impact to participants.

"We talk with participants prior to the weekend," said Chrysalis Community Executive Director Sunshine Wohl. "We base the weekend on what the individual needs." A menu of possibilities exists that includes touch and movement therapies, expressive therapies, and various meditations.

At the end of the weekend, participants will be better prepared to manage HIV, feel a greater sense of emotional and spiritual support; and better understand how their immune system works and what it needs to stay strong and healthy. Participants will also have a better understanding of how to incorporate complementary and alternative healing into their daily lives.

"I learned to take care of me,” said a participant. “I’m a beautiful person filled with love and light. I’ve learned to share myself with friends and family, to hug, laugh and smile. I also learned to eat better, and about what foods to eat that are good for me."

Chrysalis Community is also open to one-on-one visits in which a day or half-day program is developed for participants.

For more information, call 802-893-9309, email info@chrysaliscommunity.org, or visit www.chrysaliscommunity.org.

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Information

The Chrysalis Community is a Not For Profit Business with 501c3 Status.

We are located on 108 Acres in Pownal, Vermont.

The residence can currently house 6 people and the facility can support up to 20 daytime community members. As funding permits, we will be growing this capacity.

Contact us for more details...